Pregnancy Myths

It is a common myth that you can't get pregnant the first time you have sex. This is simply not true. There is always a possibility that you will get pregnant if you have sex - even the very first time. If you are having sex and don't want to get pregnant, you will need to choose a method of contraception that will suit your body and lifestyle.

No. It takes about 6-7 days after an egg is fertilized (after having sex) before your body starts to produce the pregnancy hormone (hCG), and a few more days before the level is high enough to be detected by a pregnancy test. Clearblue Pregnancy Tests can be used up to 5 days before your missed period1, although the pregnancy hormone levels in your urine may not be high enough to be detected. So if you test early and you get a 'Not Pregnant' test result, we recommend you test again when you your period is due.

To determine when your period is due, calculate your usual cycle length by counting the number of days from the first day of your period until the day before your next period starts. Here are some extra tips that are helpful to know:

If you have irregular cycles, it's a good idea to allow for your longest cycle in recent months before testing.

If you have no idea when your period is due, we recommend waiting at least 19 days after the last time you had unprotected sex before taking a Clearblue Pregnancy Test.

If you're testing from the day your period is due, you can test any time of the day. Clearblue Pregnancy Tests can be used up to 5 days before your missed period1. If you do test early, you should use the first urine of the day.

To get an accurate result, it's best not to drink too much before testing.

If the result is 'Not Pregnant' but you're still suspecting you're pregnant you should wait at least 3 days before testing again as you may have tested too early. If your second test gives you a 'Not Pregnant' result and you still haven't had your period, you should see your doctor.

No. All Clearblue Pregnancy Tests are sensitive enough to detect hCG in your urine from the day your period is due. Clearblue Pregnancy Tests can be used up to 5 days before your missed period1, although the pregnancy hormone levels in your urine may not be high enough to be detected. So if you test early and you get a 'Not Pregnant' test result, we recommend you test again when your period is due. Please note these are abbreviated instructions, you should always read the instructions before taking a test.

Yes. If you think you might be pregnant, Clearblue Pregnancy Tests are sensitive enough to detect hCG in your urine from the day your period is due. Clearblue Pregnancy Tests can be used up to 5 days before your missed period1. If you have irregular cycles and you want to determine when you can take your Clearblue Pregnancy Test, it's a good idea to allow for your longest cycle in recent months. If you have no idea when your period is due, we recommend waiting at least 19 days after the last time you had unprotected sex. If the result is 'Not Pregnant' and you still think you might be pregnant, we advise to wait at least 3 days before doing another Clearblue Pregnancy Test.

It's unlikely, but not impossible. If you have a very short menstrual cycle (e.g. 20 days), but bleed for many days at the beginning of your menstrual cycle, it is possible that you may already be within the beginning of your fertility window before your bleeding has stopped.

To get pregnant, you need to have sex on the days leading up to and around when you ovulate. The two to three days prior to ovulation, and the day of ovulation itself, being your most fertile days. Once the egg has gone (usually within a day of ovulation) you cannot get pregnant until after your next menstrual cycle has started. So methods that tell you after the fact when you have ovulated are of no help if you are trying to conceive!

The average menstrual cycle is 28 days long, but every woman is unique and nearly 50% of women’s cycles vary by 7 days or more2. As menstrual cycles vary in length, so does the timing of ovulation, so it can be difficult to know when YOUR fertile days are.

Tracking your basal body temperature is not recommended to help you get pregnant, since a woman's body temperature rises AFTER she has ovulated by which time it is too late to optimize the chances of conception in that menstrual cycle.3

Just because your hormones haven’t been affected by hormonal contraceptives doesn't necessarily put you at an advantage. Your body may be better able to regulate itself but this doesn't mean you can get pregnant any more easily. Your fertility can be influenced by many factors other than contraceptives.

There’s no sure way of knowing. You’ll be older, you’ll definitely have less time to be spontaneous with your sex life and you may even have a different partner – all of these influence your chances of pregnancy. If you are under 35 and have been trying to get pregnant for a year, talk to your doctor (six months if you are over 35).

While stress is never healthy, unless it’s interrupting your periods or sex life, it won’t stop you conceiving. Also remember it’s normal for sex to start to feel mechanical if you’ve been trying for a baby for a while. This is something a lot of couples experience and it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your relationship. Most couples accept that baby-making sex can be different. Using an ovulation test to learn the specifics of your cycle can be an empowering and therefore relaxing thing to do.

1Clearblue pregnancy tests can be used as early at 4 days before you expect your period. That's 5 days sooner than waiting until you miss your period to test. The amount of pregnancy hormone increases rapidly in early pregnancy. In clinical testing with early pregnancy samples the Clearblue PLUS Pregnancy Test gave the following results: 56% of women received a 'Pregnant' result 4 days early, 88% of women 3 days early, 97% of women two days early and 98% of women 1 day early. In clinical testing with early pregnancy samples, Clearblue Digital Pregnancy Test gave the following results: 51% of women received a 'Pregnant' result 4 days early, 82% of women 3 days early, 90% of women two days early and 95% of women 1 day early.